I upgraded my Amtrak seat to a 23-square-foot roomette by bidding $110. Here's what the 15-hour train ride was like.

• The 23-square-foot space had two seats, an in-room toilet, a foldable sink, and a tray table.
• The roomette gave me a sense of privacy, but I wouldn’t want to share one with another person.

I would consider paying full price for a roomette depending on the cost and circumstances. However, I’d definitely give Amtrak’s Bid Up program a try for future train rides.

This story was originally published on April 23, 2023, and most recently updated on May 26, 2026.